Seat supporting and adjusting mechanism



Feb. 20, 1962 .1. PICKLES SEAT SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MECHANISM 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1959 INVENTOR. do Pan 4 5 Feb. 20, 1962 J.PICKLES SEAT SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

Feb. 20, 1962 J. PICKLES SEAT SUPPORTING AND ADJUSTING MECHANISM 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2, 1959 Y M M W. M M m W United States Patent3,922,035 Patented Feb. 20, 1952 Free 3,622,635 SEAT S ifillTlNG ANDABE-US'EENG Joseph Pickles, Dearborn, Mich, assignor to Form Stain; ingCompany, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 2, 195?,Ser. No. 35%,3'37 13 Claims. (Cl. ass-s95 The present invention relatesto a seat supporting and adjusting mechanism, and more particularly, amechanism designed for power actuation.

in accordance with the present invention adjustable seat supportmechanism is provided particularly for vehicle seats, which is capableof elfecting the so-called six-way actuation; namely, a fore and aftadjustment, 2. vertical adjustment, and a tilting adjustment. Themechanism for effecting adjustment includes screw shaft and nutcombinations particularly arranged in order to reduce the number ofparts required, to simplify operation, and to pr vide an extremelyei'ficient construction.

The mechanism is adapted to be operated from a single reversibleelectric motor, preferably through the medium of flexible transmissionor drive shafts adapted to couple together adjusting mechanism atopposite ends of the vehicle seat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide adjustable seatmechanism including a pair of hell cranks, and means for selectivelymoving said bell cranks in unison or independently to effect verticaland tilting movement of the seat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide poweradjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat including relatively rotatablenut and screw shaft combinations including means for effecting directdriving rotation of both the screw shaft and the nut eitherindependently or in unison to obtain a desired operation of the seatadjusting mechanism.

Other objects and features of the invention will becorn apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, illustrating preferred embodiments of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the operating components of theseat adjusting mechanism.

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are similar views showing different arrangements ofthe operating components.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a fixed scresv element.

Referring first to FIGURE ,1, there is shown the operating mechanismadapted to be positioned between the floor it of a motor vehicle and aseat frame, a portion of which is indicated at 12. it will beappreciated that identical or substantially similar adjustable seatsupport devices are provided at opposite ends of the vehicle seat andthat these devices are operated in unison.

in general terms, power is supplied to the seat adjust ing mechanismfrom a reversible electric motor which is preferably located beneath theseat. The electric motor may be provided with a plurality, such asthree, flexible drive shafts or cables extending to each of the seatadjusting mCildEllSrzS. These drive shafts are arranged in pairs so thatidentical adjustments may be imparted simultaneously to the seatadjusting mechanism at opposite ends of the seat.

Alternatively, the motor may be located substantially directly adjacentone of the seat adjusting mechanisms and be connected thereto by rigiddrive means such as shafts, and flexible drive shafts or cables providedbetween the motor and the remote seat adjusting mechanism.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, each of the seat supporting and adjustingmechanisms comprises a pair of slide supports 14 and 16 adapted to befixedly secured to the floor and to support a rail 18 for longitudinalmovement. Suitable bearings (not shown) will normally be providedbetween the slide supports 14, 16 and the rail 18.

Power means are provided elfective to shift the rail longitudinally whenenergized and operative when deenergized to maintain the rail 18 in itsinstantaneous position of adjustment. This means for effecting fore andaft adjustment of the seat is herein illustrated as comprising a screwshaft 2%) provided with a thread such as Acme screw thread, and inthreaded engagement with a nut 22 fixedly mounted on one of the supportsand herein illustrated as the support 16. The slidable rail 13 hasdepending ears 24 which carry a bearing 26 adapted to mount the screwshaft for free rotation While preventing endwise movement thereofrelative to the cars 24. A flexible drive cable 2% is connected to theend of the screw shaft 2%. Rotation of the flexible drive cable 28rotates the screw shaft which is thus moved longitudinally relative tothe fixed nut 22, carrying the rail 11% and all structure supportedthereby in a fore and aft direction relative to the vehicle.

While the connection of the flexible drive shaft 23 is illustratedherein, as to the screw shaft 2% it will of course be appreciated thatinstead the screw shaft could be held against rotation and rotationimparted to the nut 22 to effect a like fore and aft adjustment of theseat.

At the front end of the rail 13 there is an upwardly extending postconstruction 39 and to the post construction 3 3 there is mounted apivot bearing 32 adapted to mount a screw shaft 34 for rotation whilepreventing endvvise movement thereof relative to the hearing. Thebearing is pivoted to the post construction as indicated at 36. Alsopivoted to the post construction 3t? is a bell crank indicated generallyat 33, its pivot mounting being indicated at The bell crank comprises anactuating arm 42 which is pivoted as indicated at 44 to a rigid link asand a lift arm 4% which is pivotally connected as indicated at 5%) to adepending front leg 52 of a seat support bar 5 The rail 18 adjacent itsrear end is provided with a post construction do carrying a bell crank58 which is pivoted to the post construction 56 as indicated at 69. Thebell crank 58 includes an actuating arm s2 pivotally connected at 64 toa nut as. The bell crank also includes a lift arm 68 pivoted at '76 to alift link 72 which in turn is pivoted at 1 4 to the rear end of the seatsupport bar 54. The link 72 accommodates independent elevation of thefront and rear edges of the seat without binding. 7

The link as is pivoted at 76 to a housing 73 carrying a nut 80 threadedto the screw shaft The nut tilt is provided at its periphery with gearteeth which may correspond to the teeth of a worm gear or which may havea substantially greater angle so as to provide reversibility. In anycase, rotation is imparted to the not by means of a mating gearindicated at 32 and connected directly to a flexible drive cable, aportion of which is diagrammatically.indicated at 34.

A third flexible drive cable as is provided which is directly connectedto one end of the screw sh'ft With the foregoing construction it will beapparent that a rather unique control of the position of the seat bothas to its vertical adjustment and as toits tilted position may beaccomplished with only the two bell cranks, the single screw shaft 34-,and the nuts as and When the flexible drive shaft 84 is idle the nut 8&is restrained against rotation, although it may be driven in rotationunder heavy load if vertical movement of the front end of the seat isblocked. At this time, if rotation is imparted to the flexible driveshaft $6 the nut 30 p the bell crank 58 and vertical up or down movementof the rear end of the seat support bar 54. Thus, connection of themotor by suitable clutch means to the shaft 86 results in substantiallyvertical adjustment of the seat.

To obtain a desired tilting of the seat the motor may be connected tothe flexible drive shaft 84 which will rotate the nut 80 so as to causethe housing 78 to move axially of the screw shaft. This will, throughthe link 46, result in rocking of the bell crank 38 and vertical up ordown movement of the front end of the seat support bar 54. At this timethe rear end of the seat support bar 54 remains substantially stationarybecause the bell crank 58 is not actuated. The tilting adjustment istherefore obtained in this instance by vertical movement of the frontend of the seat support bar. However, the same construction also permitsindependent vertical movement of the rear end of the seat support bar.This is accomplished by simultaneous operation of the drive cables 84and 86. The rotation of the drive cable 86 of course results in rotationof the screw shaft 34, which through the nut 66, operates the bell crank53 to effect vertical movement of the rear end of the seat support bar.However, the energization of the flexible drive shaft 84 in this casewill be such as to drive the nut 86 in the same direction as the screwshaft 34. Thus, the housing 78 will remain stationary and no movementwill be imparted to the front bell crank 38.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 there is shown a similar arrangement in whichlike reference characters are applied to like parts. In this casehowever, a link 9% is provided which connects the bell cranks 38 and 58so that no tilting adjustment is possible. Vertical movement in thiscase is accomplished by rotation of the screw shaft 34 which cooperatessolely with the nut 66 pivoted to the bell crank 58.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 there is shown a similar arrangement exceptthat the nut 92 carried by the screw and by its cooperation with the nut60 which is pivoted to the rear bell crank 58.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 there is illustrated a somewhat differentconstruction. In this case a pair of screw shafts 94 and 96 are providedeach connected separately to flexible drive shafts 98 and 99respectively. The shafts 94 and 96 are supported in pivoted bearings 100and 102 respectively mounted on posts 104 and 106 respectively. Thefront bell crank in this instance is indicated at 108 which is providedwith a pivoted nut 110 threaded to the shaft 94. The rear bell crank 112is provided with a pivoted nut 114 threaded to the shaft 96. Verticaladjustment of the seat support bar 54 in this case is accomplished byenergizing or driving both of the flexible drive shafts 98 and 99. 7Independent vertical adjustment of the front and rear ends of the seatsupport bar 54 is of course accomplished by separately energizing theflexible drive'shafts 98 and 99.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a screw element indicated at is fixed atopposite ends to the post 30 and to a similar stationary post 122 fixedonthe slide 18. In this case a pair of nut housings 124'and 126 areprovided which contain rotatable nuts 128 and 130 adapted to be rotatedby suitable means such as worms driven by flexible drive shafts 132v and134 engaging worm gear teeth provided at the periphery of the nutelements.

The nut housings 124 and 126 are connected by links 136 and 138respectively to the bell cranks 32 and 58. Obviously, actuation of thenut 128 will effect vertical movement of the front end of the seatsupport bar 54 without vertical movement of the rear end of the bar,while actuation of the nut 130 will result in vertical movement of therear end of the seat support bar without substantially affecting theposition of the front end of the bar. Thus, the bar may be tiltedforwardly or rearwardly, or moved vertically by actuation of both of thenut elements.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved seat supporting and adjusting mechanism in such full,clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by theappended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:'

1. In a power seat adjuster, a rail, a seat support bar, lever meansconnecting opposite ends of said seat support bar to said rail, drivemeans for said lever means comprising a screw shaft, a first nut on saidshaft connected to the lever means at one end of said rail and bar, asecond nut on said shaft connected to the lever means at the other endof said rail and bar, and power means for independently selectivelyrotating said screw shaft and first nut. 7

2. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said support mechanisms comprising apair of support members fixed against vertical movement, a seat supportbar located above said support members, a lever pivoted to each of saidsupport members, one of said levers being pivotally connected directlyto said bar, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to the other ofsaid levers and said bar, and independently rotatable screw shaft andnut members connected between one of said support members, and saidlevers. V

3. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat sup- ,port mechanismsat opposite ends of the seat, each of said mechanisms comprising a pairof support members fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support members, a bell crank comprising a lift armand an actuating arm pivoted to each of said support members, the outerend of the lift arm of one of said bell cranks being pivotally connecteddirectly to one end of said bar, means pivotally connecting the outerend of the lift arm of said other bell crank to the other end of saidbar, a rotatable screw shaft extending generally longitudinally of saidbar and fixed against endwise displacement, a pair of nuts on saidshaft, means connecting said nuts respectively to the actuating arms ofsaid bell cranks, and power means for selectively.driv ing said shaft inrotation.

4. In anadjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair ofsupport members fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support members, a bell crank comprising a lift armand an actuating arm pivoted to each of said support members, the outerend of the lift arm of one of said bell cranks being pivotally connecteddirectly to one end of said bar, means pivotally connecting the outerend of the lift arm of said other bell crank to the other end of saidbar, a rotatable screw shaft extending generally longitudinally of saidbar and fixed against endwise displacement, a pair of nuts'on saidshaft, means connecting said nuts respectively to the actuating arms ofsaid bell cranks, and power means for separately driving said shaft andone of said nuts in independent rotation.

5. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair ofsupport members fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support members, a bell crank comprising a lift armand an actuating arm pivoted to each of said support members, the outerend of the lift arm of one of said bell cranks being pivotally connecteddirectly to one end of said bar, means pivotally connecting the outerend of the lift arm of said other bell crank to the other end of saidbar, a rotatable screw shaft extending generally longitudinally of saidbar and fixed against endwise displacement, a pair of nuts on saidshaft, a housing in which one of said nuts is rotatable, a linkconnecting said housing to the actuating arm of one of said bell cranks,the other of said nuts being non rotatively and pivotally connected tothe actuating arm of said other bell crank.

6. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair ofsupport members fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support members, a bell crank comprising a lift armand an actuating arm pivoted to each of said support members, the outerend of the lift arm of one of said bell cranks being pivotally connecteddirectly to one end of said bar, means pivotally connecting the outerend of the lift arm of said other bell crank to the other end of saidbar, a rotatable screw shaft extending generally longitudinally of saidbar and fixed against endwise displacement, a pair of nuts on saidshaft, a housing in which one of said nuts is rotatable, a linkconnecting said housing to the actuating arm of one of said bell cranks,the other of said nuts being non-rotatively and pivotally connected tothe actuating arm of said other bell crank, first drive means connectedto said shaft, second mechanical drive means permanently engaged withsaid one nut, and operator controlled means for actuating either of saiddrive means independently of the other and both of said drive meanstogether.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which the drive means to at leastone of said mechanisms comprises flexible drive cables.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim which comprises a longitudinallymovable bar on which said support members are mounted to provide forfore and aft adjustment of the seat.

9. In a power seat adjuster, a rail, a seat support bar, lever meansconnecting opposite ends of said seat support bar to said rail, drivemeans for said lever means comprising a screw shaft member, meansmounting said screw shaft member in fixed position relative to saidrail, a pair of not members threaded to said screw shaft member,selectively operable drive means for rotating said nut members toeflFect independent movement thereof longitudinally of said screw shaftmember, and a link connecting each of said nut members to one of saidlevers.

10. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair ofsupport members fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support members, a bell crank comprising a lift armand an actuating arm pivoted to each of said support members, the outerend of the lift arm of one of said bell cranks being pivotally connecteddirectly to one end of said bar, means pivotally connecting the outerend of the lift arm of said other bell crank to the other end of saidbar, a rotatable screw shaft extending generally longitudinally of saidbar and fixed against endwise displacement, a pair of nuts on saidshaft, means non-rotatably connecting said nuts respectively to theactuating arms of said bell cranks, and power means for selectivelydriving said shaft in rotation.

11. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said support mechanisms comprising apair of support members fixed against vertical movement, a seat supportbar located above said support members, a lever pivoted to each of saidsupport members, one of said levers being pivotally connected directlyto said bar, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to the other ofsaid levers and said bar, independently rotatable screw shaft and nutmembers connected between one of said support members and said levers,and a second pivotally supported link connecting said levers.

12. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said support mechanisms comprising apair of support members fixed against vertical movement, a seat supportbar located above said support members, a lever pivoted to each of saidsupport members, one of said levers being pivotally connected directlyto said bar, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to the other ofsaid levers and said bar, an independently rotatable screw shaft and nutmember connected between the support member said one lever is pivoted toand said other lever and a second independently rotatable screw shaftand nut member connected between the support member said other lever ispivoted to and said one lever.

13. In an adjustable vehicle seat, adjustable seat support mechanisms atopposite ends of the seat, each of said support mechanisms comprising asupport member fixed against vertical movement, a seat support barlocated above said support member, a pair of levers pivoted to saidsupport member in spaced relation to each other, one of said leversbeing pivotally connected directly to said bar, a link pivotallyconnected at opposite ends to the other of said levers and said bar, andselectively relatively rotatable screw shaft and nut members connectedbetween said support and lever members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,809,688 Brundage Oct. 15, 1957

